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Clergy Retreat is time to recreate, relax, rest

The Post-Easter Clergy Retreat Monday to Wednesday, April 6 to 8 at Pilgrim Firs, said PNC-UCC executive director of outdoor for clergy to step away after a busy season of Easter.

Lake Flora at Pilgrim Firs was a peaceful spot for clergy.

Cindy Bauleke, who has lived 48 years in Bellingham where she served Bellingham First UCC and Lummi Island UCC, finds the post-Easter clergy retreat a treat, coming for two days to recreate, relax and recuperate after Easter. She retired in 2015 and was inactive for aa while for health reasons.

This year nine women pastors came, compared with more last year when many Samoan pastors joined the retreat.

“In future years, we hope our Samoan pastors and wives will join us again, as well as more PNC ministers and partners,” said Cindy.

The clergy spent time kayaking, canoeing, hiking around Lake Flora, playing games and walking the labyrinth.

“It’s a casual time to connect with other pastors,” said Cindy, who came because she now chairs the Committee on Ministry Westside. “Members of the conference minister Search Committee asked us to be trial subjects for questions to be asked of churches to broaden participation in the search.

“In the evening, we heard frogs. In the morning we heard birds. It was a delight to be in the woods, and to share delicious meals and conversation with other pastors,” she added.

Naomi Schwartz the new pastor at Fox Island. Being new to the conference, she was eager to learn about the conference and its work on social justice.

“I came away feeling filled up with ideas and wisdom from my colleagues,” continued Cindy, who has participated in previous Pilgrim Firs clergy retreats and leader retreats at N-Sid-Sen.

Baptized at Plymouth UCC in Seattle, her family attended Magnolia Presbyterian Church, and she served as Christian education director in three Presbyterian churches in Bellingham before earning a master of divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1986.

“What a gift,” commented Emily Tanis-Likkel, pastor at Alki UCC. “Late night games, quiet walks, heart-to-heart talks, naps and blessedly no agenda. The only thing on the schedule is fabulous food.

“The annual Clergy Retreat at Pilgrim Firs is my #1 way to refuel after a depleting Holy Week and Easter. I wouldn’t miss it,” she asserted.

For information, visit pilgrim-firs.org.

 

Pacific Northwest Conference United Church of Christ News © April 2026

 

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